Where is Alabama Theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer organ going? The answer.

ByPat Byington
LAST UPDATED02/19/24

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Alabama Theatre — “Big Bertha” – Alabama Theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer organ (Glenny Brock/Facebook)

If you happen to drive by the Alabama Theatre this weekend your heart might have skipped a beat seeing “Big Bertha” The Mighty Wurlitzer Organ out on the street.

Have no fear—according to the Alabama Theatre Instagram page —she is headed to Lithonia, GA to the A.E. Schlueter Pipe Organ Co. for some much needed repairs and maintenance.

Below is a photo by Alabama Theatre, The Showplace of the South author Glenny Brock of the big move.

Alabama Theatre — “Big Bertha” – Alabama Theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer organ leaving for repairs in Georgia (Glenny Brock/Facebook)

When all is said and done Big Bertha will have the following work done:

New SAM (stop-action magnet) assemblies
Refurbished stop tab rails
Reconfigured stop tabs

That’s good news for this one of a kind Birmingham treasure.

Alabama Theatre’s Big Bertha returns in the summer

More good news! She is not going to be gone too long. The Alabama Theatre expects the console to return sometime this summer, in time for their annual silent film presentation of The Phantom of the Opera in the Fall.

Meanwhile, checkout Bham Now’s video about Big Bertha, which was released last month. And while watching her story, consider supporting her renovations and repairs.

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Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.